1) Because if I have to go through another full day or night of ‘false’ but nonetheless really f*cking painful labor contractions, I may be compelled to shoot myself in the head, or dope myself to sleep with vodka, and neither of those things would be good for the baby, would they?

2) Because my current daily ratio of sleeping to not-sleeping, given the above, in hours as measured on a 24-hour clock – 2:24.

3) Because once tonight’s episode of Lost is over, I’ll only have 6 days and 23 hours in which to get this baby out and sorted so that I’m back on schedule to watch the next episode, next week.

4) Because it’s my birthday next week, and a) I’d prefer that this child be born at least a few days before or after my own birthday, and I’m not waiting until next weekend (see #’s 1 – 3 above), and b) I’d very much like to have a vodka martini on that day, and not one that is cut with castor oil.

5) Because, have you seen me lately? I am the size of a small dirigible. And if this baby was pushing 8lbs over two weeks ago – even allowing for margins for error – I do not even want to contemplate how big he will be next week.

6) Because I’m ready. We’re ready. It’s time.

So, having exhausted all other options except Eggplant Parmesan (cooked eggplant being a couple of notches below castor oil on my personal list of stomachable foodstuffs and beverages), I’m pretty certain that I will be quaffing some castor oil within 24 hours of the closing credits scrolling onscreen for tonight’s episode of Lost. I am well aware that many of you will regard this as reckless, reckless behaviour, but still: am at wit’s end. Must act. Gastrointestinal discomfort, even in the extreme, is, at this point, among the very least of the physical evils that I face, including but not restricted to intermittent but ongoing painful labor and the many-days long stretch of no sleep caused by that labor. Diarrhea? MEH.

Am forging ahead. Hopefully, the next time you hear from me will be from the other side. Otherwise, expect more bitching.

PS -I refuse to confirm or deny any of the name guesses made on my last post, but I will say this: you will know. It may be a one-time only deal, but I will share the name with you. After I share it with him.